Leavin' On A Jet Plane!

All our bags are packed we're ready to go... Sadie Mac is standing here outside our door. It will be sad to wake her up at 5:30 a.m. to let her say "good bye". But the dust is waiting in the early morn'... the taxi's waiting and of course blowing his horn... Cause we're leaving on a jet plane and we're not sure when we'll be back again!!!
So, you get the picture! We're going home to the sandbox!!! We have our bags by the door and we're excited, ready and a bit nervous about hitting the heat on Saturday morning. We have been checking the weather and it's going to be about a 40 degree temperature change for us... ugh. It's the home of dust, sand and heat... and it's also the home of the Rhynes! Ready or not, here we come!

Ready for fun in the Sun!

Somebody has been ready for summer for a while! Last week, Sadie Mac kept finding her bathing suit in her closet and insisted on putting it on for about a week or so. That weekend, we decided to see how cool the water was and how warm the sand and sun could keep us. We headed down to one of the local beaches with a picnic in hand and enjoyed the day in the sun. The weather was beautiful and the water was a little chilly, but not too cold for her and Stephen. She would dip her feet in at first, but when Stephen decided to go in... she wanted to go too. He held her in the water and after a few minutes her little teeth were chattering. But when we tried to take her out she would just cry out, "NO!!!" I have a little water bug on my hands... We built sand castles, slid down the sand banks, and of course enjoyed the water... on and off.


Picnic over... let's hit the waves!

Me and Daddy...

The struggling little legs to get out of the water and not get pulled down by the sand!

Cheetos and sand toys... what else does a girl need?

Spring has Sprung!

We are loving this nice, warm weather... warm is relative to where you live. When we are in the sandbox and say "warm"... we are joking. It's always HOT there. But life here along the coast, the warm weather is wonderful. It's low-mid 80's and we are loving the breeze from the Med. There is a beautiful park a few miles from our house so we like to go often to enjoy the greenery along with the sea. Last week we went walking and enjoyed time together, as well as the "paparazzi" of nationals who are always wanting to take Sadie Mac's picture. Because of her blue eyes and blonde hair... everyone is her fan. They are all so welcoming and say, "Welcome to Eg." and usually ask our names. This is the extent of their English. But none the less, most days it's fun and Sadie doesn't always mind the attention. The picture above is two ladies who are taking Sadie Mac's picture with their camera phone, a very common occurrence!

This was a group that was being made to "leave the foreigners alone"... from one of the men who worked at the park.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!!! We had a blast at our house with new toys, good food, friends, and celebrating the Risen Savior! How Marvelous, How Wonderful is my Savior's love for me!!


Well, first thing in the morning after Sadie Mac woke up, we had to go hunting down her easter basket. At our house, he hides them! So, we looked and looked (I don't think she got it at all, but it was fun for me and Stephen!) When she found it... oh the joy to her sweet little surprise! Along with the play dough set, he left her OREOs and Doritos. (Sorry, no peeps or Reece's Peanut butter cups could be found here!) Her little heart could not be more excited. She played with it all afternoon!

What is this....???

Oh wow!

We had some special friends come over to fill the house where we enjoyed HAM (!!!!), beef, twice baked potato casserole, green bean casserole, salads, bread, deviled eggs, and more. I also made my very first (from scratch) apple pie!! We sure did get our belly's fill of Easter food. So thankful... so blessed. Hope you all enjoyed the same!

Cook Like an Egyptian

One of the best things about living overseas is learning and embracing a new culture. One of my favorite things to do with my national friends is learn how THEY cook. It's so different and I always learn things that will help me cook my "American" way. Last week I went over to visit a friend and we had a planned cooking lesson. I learned to cook "Mashi" (Mash-ee)!! This is a staple dish around here made up of rice, tomatoes, onions, and other spices all wrapped in grape leaves or cabbage (or hollowed out peppers, zucchini). It is delicious. Honestly it's one of those dishes I don't like in the restaurants here as much as I like from my friend's house. Her and her mother REALLY know how to cook it... tasty, tasty!! We had a great time and I'm thankful for the learning experience!

On the Hunt for Eggs!!

Easter fun has begun around here!!! Yesterday morning we went to a friend's house and spent the morning decorating eggs! We dyed and colored and enjoyed our time together. Today we met at the park and Sadie Mac had her very first Easter Egg Hunt!! She was funny and didn't seem that impressed. After her second egg, she sat down in the grass and started to peel them. Then her tiny tot friends came over so we could take pics! Sadly, her little Easter Basket is at home in the sandbox, so I made her a home made one last night out of a cracker box and the old school paper weave!! I put a piece of cloth as the handle and it worked just fine!! We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to share holidays and fun with friends here.


Let the Game Begin!!

"Mommy... I found one!"

She's a daddy's girl, for sure.


The Toddler Trio...


The Toddler Trio and one big sis playing "Ring Around the Rosie". This is Sadie Mac's favorite game!

My Favorite Accessory

I recently bought a "ring sling" and Sadie Mac LOVES IT!! (The proof is in the pictures!) She makes me laugh that whenever we are about to go out, she gets the sling and brings it to me! She even gets so comfortable in it she likes to become my little kangaroo in the sling and even falls asleep! Stephen caught this picture from our balcony when I was walking home from the store with my hands full... and she was snoozing! I like to take her wherever I go!! She is how I "dress up"!! [For the record: I hate these pics of me... but they were too cute of little missy to not publish. I know she is all the grandparents want to see anyway!! ;-) ]

What we've been up to...

Well, we have been doing some things here and there and been taking pictures all along the way. So, here are some of our random happenings recently...

Sadie and her friend were the Queens of the Beach with all the beach boys wanting to take their pictures and dote over them!! Oh no... I feel like we have trouble on our hands!

Making an Arabic birthday cake! The first one I've ever made for one of my national friends... she was pleased with it!

Celebrated a good friend's birthday! We enjoyed the day doing hair cuts and Outback Steakhouse! (Happy birthday Janet!)

Home Remedies... I was sick with a bad cough for 3 weeks and crushed almonds with a baby food grinder... made a paste with it and ate it... I think it helped... I feel better now!

Got a hair cut!

Enjoying take out dessert! We are hoping to go back to the sandbox next week so we are taking full advantage of the delivery service here... Oreo Maddness in 15 minutes, and no dirty dishes!!

She is a doll, isn't she?!?

This evening we went to visit some friends and Sadie got to meet them for the first time. They thought she was just as cute as we do... and even wanted her to be their baby doll! Everyone here LOVES blonde hair and so her new little friend wanted to give her a little more, from her own baby doll. We had a great time and are thankful for the friends we have made here. Sadie Mac even got to meet their little baby chick too!!! Hope you enjoy the pics from our visit!

Beach Day...

Today is Thursday, which is kinda like the American Friday... the end of the week!! We decided to cut out early and head down to the little beach by our house. Since the wintery mix ended it's been much warmer weather and we thought we'd enjoy it. We met a really nice family there and practiced our Arabic with them. Sadie Mac loved going down to the water. She and I had a nice little mommy/daughter chat. So fun. We talked about "waves" and when we did, she waved at the sea. Daddy took her down there to dip her toes and a bigger wave came in a got them by surprise! Oh well... it was a fun little family outing anyway.